Stephanie Kaemerer
Stephanie Kaemerer (she/her) is an accomplished aerospace professional and founder of Spaceship Ambulance, where she provides avionics design, manufacturing, and integration support for emerging space startups. With nearly two decades of experience in advanced aerospace manufacturing and avionics systems, Stephanie has become a trusted technical leader known for her expertise in spacecraft harnessing, system reliability, and mission readiness. Her work empowers small and medium aerospace companies to transform conceptual designs into fully manufacturable, high-performance systems ready for launch.
Stephanie began her career after earning her Associate of Applied Science degree in Laser Electro-Optics Technology from Texas State Technical College in 2007. She joined Raytheon, where she built and tested laser systems used for military range-finding applications. Her career took flight at SpaceX, where she contributed to the Falcon 9 and Dragon programs as an Electro-Mechanical and Launch Integration Technician. Rising to Lead Integration Technician, she played a pivotal role in launch operations at Vandenberg Air Force Base and later advanced to R&D, developing avionics systems for the Crew Dragon parachute landing system. As a Build Reliability Specialist, she ensured the consistency and efficiency of rocket manufacturing processes—an experience that deepened her commitment to excellence in aerospace engineering.
Following her tenure at SpaceX, Stephanie brought her avionics expertise to companies including Virgin Orbit, Relativity Space, Impulse Space, and VAST, where she helped advance next-generation spacecraft manufacturing and 3D-printed rocket technologies. Today, through Spaceship Ambulance, she continues to champion innovation, reliability, and collaboration within the private space industry. Passionate about mentorship and technical craftsmanship, Stephanie remains dedicated to supporting the next generation of aerospace engineers and helping visionary startups bring their ideas to orbit—and beyond.
• Texas State Technical College
Associates of Applied Science Degree
• Women in Engineering
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my strong sense of curiosity.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay eager to learn and be proactive in connecting with others. Take chances and get involved—volunteer whenever possible. Each opportunity helps you gain valuable experience and build your resume. Most importantly, focus on developing skills that AI cannot replace, such as creativity, empathy, and leadership.